Statistically Speaking, Is Trading Down A Smart Move?

[HPF Bob]

Jones/Johnson figured out the trade down game before anyone else did but don't forget they also used those extra picks to trade back up when they really wanted someone.

The bottom line to me isn't whether you trade up or trade down. The smart teams understand their systems and understand the personnel they need to be great in those systems. They identify the players they want and they move up and down the draft board searching for what they want.